While I was at “Camp Reality,” Joan Baez and a camera crew stopped by to interview the Bush supporters. To Ms. Baez’s credit, she was quite respectful and diplomatic when talking with the supporters, even though they have very different views on the war and President Bush. Baez even showed more respect for President Bush than many on the left, referring to President Bush as “my president.” She was also kind enough to answer a few questions for The Buzz.

When the United States withdrew forces from Vietnam, Baez received much criticism from the left for stating a vital truth: Even though the war in Vietnam was “over” from the U.S. military’s point of view, thousands of innocent Vietnamese were still being murdered by the communist regime. So, I asked Baez if she’s concerned a similar situation would transpire were U.S. forces to withdraw from Iraq:

“As Gandhi once said, yes there will be chaos, but it will be our chaos. Yes, there will be massive chaos, but nothing is going to stop the massive chaos. That’s my answer.”

I then asked Baez what she thinks the U.S. and international community could do to ensure a peaceful transition if and when the U.S. leaves Iraq:

“There’s no way to ensure a peaceful transition. There’s already been so much chaos and unnecessary violence. Much of that has been created by us. But there was already this disgusting level of chaos and violence with Saddam Hussein.”

“We’ve just made ourselves so loathsome that whatever happens I think will be better. We have antagonized the world so much. I mean, I travel a lot. When I’m in places like Italy I memorize the Italian translation and I say, ‘I ask for your forgiveness for what my president is doing to the world. And they stand, they get up and give a standing ovation, because someone finally does get it. That’s how they see it. Granted, that is my public. But that public is pretty broad.”

Finally, I asked Baez if she thinks there would be similar anti-war protests being held if John Kerry had won the 2004 election:

“You know, the what ifs are so huge. I don’t think he would have invaded Iraq to begin with. He would have understood after 9/11, there was no connection with Iraq. I think that was really the Republican agenda and the work of Karl Rove.”